New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-06
ARREARS OF IRISH RENTS.
TIE PROBLEM IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
vArSx1aIrEs ASK FOR FURTHER coNcEssioSS' Sor
Trey ARE REFUSED.


,ARNELrITEs ASK FOR FURTHER coNoAS''oN'' "o'
THEY ARE REFUSED.
Inxnox. Aug SIN the House OF commons
this evening Mr.. Balfour, Chief Secretary ior
Ireland. announced that he did not expect 10 20
reouired to make any communication 10 faria-
r,snt regarding the suppression of dangerous
associations in ireland.
This statement was received with cheers by
the Irish members.
Upon motion Of Mr.. Balfour to recommit the
land bill for the discussion of certain amended
clauses, Mr. Dillon urged that the Government
should first explain the alterations they intended
TO introduce. He asked why nothing was pro-
posed for dealing with arrears. The bill as 1T
stood afforded no protection to tenants for whom
the bankruptcy clauses had been designed AS
those clauses had been dropped, better protection
for the tenantry became necessary.
Mr. Balfour said that the Government was
willing to accept any workable proposal Tor
dealing with arrears, provided debts TO iandlords
be held equally as sacred debts to shopkeepers
and others. The bill lave considerable protecuoh
against arrears, though not ignoring or efiacing
landlords debts. 1t the largest measure OF
relief ever granted to any class OF persons In
any country. Heart heard
Sir William Vernon Harcourt denied the value
mcnt of arrears might be spread over number
of periods, each instaiment represented pay
ment on account of exorbitant rent. 1t was
nonsense to talk about dealing with all debts in
The same way as with landlords debts. IL the Gov
ernpent wish the bill to be q genuine measure
of peace they would accept the proposal of the
Parnellites that the courts have power to diminish
arrears. I'll.
drawing parallel between arrears due landlords
aud tenants debts to other creditors. They were
about to declare many rents exoreitant,
say that traders had been charglng
exorbisant prices for goods. A tenant
rent was excessive ought not to have excessive ar
rears carried forward against him. The bill was
hardly message OF peace IL eIt 'bS % 'eIa ran h ~
was in most respects of great value, but the Gov
ernmenfs refusal to grant reasonable concession
on arrears would tend to destroy the beneficial
effects of the measure l(h heers
Mr. Smith contended that Mr.. Gladstone was
simply urging the Government to give away money
belonging to other people, departing from prlncl-
pies that Parliament hitherto had steadfastly
nam famed. No debt either 70 landlord or TO
moralzed the debtor. No trade or commerce would
long continue Ireland if tenants We're inclted to
violate their contracts and ignore claims rec
ognized "a valid throughout the civilized world
Mr.. Panell observed that all of Mr. Smiths
arguments might be used with equal effect against
the reduction which the Government, proposed
under pressure at the ejeNeutu uouIs
interfered because there was no freedom
Of contract with respect to land In
Ireland. though there was perfect freedom
The Government had determined not TO deal with
arrears of rent which was the only question likely
to interfere with the settlement contemplated oy
the bill. o
Mr.. billions proposal was negatved. $50 to 129.
Mr. BalfOurs motion was accepted aud section
was added TO the bill extending tie term for the
payment of arrears in instalmeDts to the Land
Commission.